Local News Storieshttp://98q.com
Local News Headlinesen-usTemporary stay of deportation granted for New Fairfield manhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/0d9d23b23a5f6c25b0f3e322f815396c
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 16:15:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/0d9d23b23a5f6c25b0f3e322f815396cA temporary stay of deportation has been granted for a New Fairfield man who was about to board a plane for his native Guatemala. Joel Colindres was less than an hour away from self-deporting Thursday afternoon, when word came of the stay issued by the U.S. Second District Circuit Court of Appeals. The 33-year old had been told 28 days ago that he had to leave the country by August 17.

(Colindres family Facebook,)

Colindres married Connecticut native Samantha a decade ago and they've been fighting with paperwork errors since then. Joel missed a court date in 2004 in Texas because he never received the notice. ICE had his address wrong and both his first and last names were spelled wrong. The couple has two young children.

5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty called Colindres a hardworking father who pays his taxes, contributes to his community, and has no criminal record. He will now have the opportunity to make his case in court, and can remain with his wife and children while he does so.

Esty says while this reprieve is a step toward justice for the Colindres family, their experience is a perfect illustration of how broken the immigration system is.

Senator Chris Murphy says he is relieved for the Colindres family and that his office will continue to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement so that Joel can stay in Connecticut with his family. He added that targeting families like this one is an abomination.

Senator Richard Blumenthal says reason and justice have prevailed, at least temporarily so that Colindres can pursue a fair hearing.

]]>16-year old boy charged with murder in death of 18-year oldhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/a0e134477b8ce2df48cb253df5f0337a
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 16:00:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/a0e134477b8ce2df48cb253df5f0337aA 16-year old boy has been charged in the death of an 18-year-old who was found with fatal injuries next to his vehicle earlier this month.

Danbury police say Lorenzo Santana of Danbury was arrested Thursday on charges of felony murder and other offenses. He was already in custody and detained at a Juvenile Detention Center on unrelated charges.

Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity on August 5th on Abbott Avenue. Gabriel Bara-Bardo was unconscious in the road next to his vehicle.

The state medical examiner's office ruled that Bara-Bardo's cause of death was complications following blunt impact to the head and neck. His death was ruled a homicide.

The investigation is ongoing. Police say more arrests are expected.

15-year old Ronald Massagli of Danbury was also charged this week. Both teens also were arrested for robbery, criminal mischief, larceny, and four counts of conspiracy to commit the listed charges.

]]>Judge orders Danbury nanny abuse video sealed indefinitelyhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/cf07d451513e82a78773499b036b868f
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:49:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/cf07d451513e82a78773499b036b868f]]>DNA evidence links Oxford man to 2014 New Milford gas station robberyhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/a10fa186f0803e4f2e5a3ed1014d3221
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:48:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/a10fa186f0803e4f2e5a3ed1014d3221]]>Brookfield officials warn residents of telemarketing scamhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/9aad163acbd9a63f723ddb42346aa8ce
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:47:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/9aad163acbd9a63f723ddb42346aa8ce
Brookfield officials are warning residents about a telemaketing scam with a caller ID displayed as "Town of Brookfield". Several residents alerted town hall to the calls, which ended up being someone trying to sell credit cards. Residents were encouraged to not give out personal information to suspicious callers and to verify the authenticity of such a request directly with the company or government agency seeking the data.]]>Danbury man killed in Wilton car crashhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/dbc784bb61496cd693d9c32236e60078
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 12:46:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/dbc784bb61496cd693d9c32236e60078Police are investigating a fatal car crash in Wilton. The collision happened last night on Route 7 at Old Mill Road. The area was closed for several hours last night as police investigated. Wilton Police say one driver was killed and the other was transported to the hospital. Police say 68-year old George Najam of Danbury was headed northbound when he crossed the center line and hit another car head on. The other driver, a Stamford woman, sustained non-life threatening injuries. She was treated and released from Danbury Hospital.]]>15-year old boy charged with murder in death of 18-year oldhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/fb13ae93516e3f92851c66148ec05b21
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:25:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/fb13ae93516e3f92851c66148ec05b21

A 15-year-old boy has been charged in the death of an 18-year-old who was found with fatal injuries next to his vehicle earlier this month.

Danbury police say Ronald Massagli of Danbury was arrested yesterday on charges of felony murder and other offenses. He was taken to Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center.

Officers responded to a report of suspicious activity on August 5th on Abbott Avenue. Gabriel Bara-Bardo was unconscious in the road next to his vehicle.

The state medical examiner's office ruled that Bara-Bardo's cause of death was complications following blunt impact to the head and neck. His death was ruled a homicide.

Police say more arrests are expected.

Massagli was also charged with robbery, criminal mischief, larceny, and four counts of conspiracy to commit the listed charges.

]]>Murphy makes Newtown stop during 'Walk Across Connecticut'http://98q.com/local-news-stories/1ad6d5d141e316d9a1d88085f85d7fad
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:24:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/1ad6d5d141e316d9a1d88085f85d7fadA standing ovation from a standing room only crowd when Senator Chris Murphy walked into his town hall meeting in Newtown Wednesday night after a 25 mile leg of his Walk Across Connecticut. Murphy called it an enormous crowd.

Murphy said he's making this now second annual trek because people are maxed out in life and don't always have time to call or write. He noted that this gives him an organic sense of what's important to his constituents. What surprised him this year was that people were waiting on the side of the road for him for hours to tell him their stories.

Murphy turned into a bit of a senatorial Forrest Gump. People spontaneously joined him from the Housatonic all the way into Newtown.

When asked about Trump, and generally what is going on in D.C., Murphy called him "a president who makes an exceptional amount of news".

Murphy is hearing most about worry over having good schools, lack of state budget and small business owners being squeezed. People talked most though about health care. Murphy stated that he frequently asks himself 'what if we came together in health care?' and then told himself there would be plenty else to fight over.

Questions were raised about the violence and protests in Charlottesville. Murphy told the crowd that it's easy to fester hate when you don't live among diversity. He condemned the actions.

When it comes to DACA and protecting the so-called Dreamers, the children brought to this country and are undocumented, Murphy said sending them back to a country they don't know may be following the letter of law, but not conscious of the nation.

]]>Emergency stay denied, New Fairfield man to be deported to Guatemalahttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/368f7ded8c3fc7f2fc6d315a4555f3ee
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:24:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/368f7ded8c3fc7f2fc6d315a4555f3eeThe Board of Immigration Appeal has denied an emergency stay on a deportation order for a New Fairfield man. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also denied a stay for Joel Colindres and he must leave the country for Guatemala today.

His wife Samantha, a Connecticut native, said in a written statement that she is devastated, broken, and angry. The couple has two young children.

Colindres still has a pending motion, that if approved it could bring him back. At the minimum he will be away from his family for 8 months. That is why the family says they are not seeking sanctuary in a church. Disobeying this order could make him a criminal fugitive and impair his path to citizenship down the road.

Colindres came to the U.S. illegally from Guatemala 13 years ago. He married New Fairfield native Samantha a decade ago and they've been fighting with paperwork errors since then. Joel missed a court date in 2004 in Texas because he never received the notice. ICE had his address wrong and both his first and last names were spelled wrong.

A Brewster man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a minor. New York State Police arrested 22-year old Gildardo Perez Tuesday for felony Criminal Sex Act.

Troopers responded to a 911 call about a sexual offense in the Town of Southeast last Friday. An investigation revealed that Perez had sexual contact with girl under the age of 15 whom he met through Facebook. Perez was arraigned and ordered held on $20,000 bond. He was ordered to appear in Southeast Justice Court on September 19th.

State Police were assisted by the Putnam County Child Advocacy Center.

]]>Former attorney indicted for defrauding clients, family and friendshttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/7b04f0f8e4be321ee04a8cf77ced098f
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:22:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/7b04f0f8e4be321ee04a8cf77ced098fA Newtown man has been indicted for defrauding his law practice clients, family and friends out of nearly $2 million. 61-year old Thomas Murtha was indicted on four counts of wire fraud yesterday. He allegedly told clients that he safeguarded and disbursed proceeds from legal representations, but he used the money for his own benefit.

Murtha allegedly used forged documents, including at least one mortgage and a trust document to keep the fraud going. He allegedly used the money to buy a house in Michigan, a more than two carat diamond engagement ring and other items.

If convicted, Murtha faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. The indictment seeks the forfeiture of the Michigan house and the engagement ring, as well as a money judgment of at least $1,991,628, which constitutes proceeds of the alleged fraud scheme.

Murtha was arrested on a criminal complaint on April 5, and released on a $10,000 bond. His arraignment is not yet scheduled.

Resident complaints about drug sales around Danbury have led to the arrests of a Bethel man and one from Danbury. Search warrants were issued for 25-year old Jeremy Colon of Bethel and his grey Honda. He was the focus of another investigation in June, which resulted in his arrest for multiple drug offenses.

While conducting a surveillance of a Shelter Rock Road parking lot yesterday, a location Colon was suspected of selling drugs from, investigators saw a sale being made. He was found in possession of controlled substances and arrested.

A man connected to Colon, was also stopped in the parking lot and issued an infraction. 25-year old Willian Pesarini of Danbury was charged with possession of a controlled substance and od drug paraphernalia.

]]>Watertown resident disrupts burglary, four suspects arrestedhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/83333c9b65bf337d77b87c98c33a93d1
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 06:19:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/83333c9b65bf337d77b87c98c33a93d1A Watertown resident disrupted a burglary at his home Tuesday. Police say the resident spotted an unknown vehicle in his driveway and called 911. Watertown Police found the back door kicked in, and four suspects inside.

29-year-olds Phillip Santelle of Seymour and William Gibson of Waterbury, 27-year-old Krystine Gilbert of Bridgeport, and 23-year-old Katryana Freberg of Torrington were charged with burglary, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, attempted larceny, interfering with an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police say a safe was broken into, copper pipes cut and items rummaged through. Items were recovered from the vehicle. Crack cocaine, an empty heroin bag, a needle and crack pipes were found among the burglar tools.

Police say the four were tied to a Sunday burglary.

]]>Former Easton EMT gets restraining orders added to chargeshttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/2e6b2bace214ce3fa4c2f75249c94f13
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:37:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/2e6b2bace214ce3fa4c2f75249c94f13A former Easton EMT has had two restraining orders added to charges against him. Police found a cache of weapons in 20-year old Christopher Barlow's Massachusetts home in June. The Easton Courier reports that he's been held since his arrest, but his former girlfriend requested a restraining order.

The Judge also granted a request for an order of protection for the girl's 14-year old sister.

The Sacred Heart University student was part of a college live-in program with Easton EMS. A probably cause hearing is set for September 22nd.

He was also charged for impersonating a police officer. A police baton, handcuffs, a fake Homeland Security ID card, a special agent Coast Guard badge and a Connecticut special officer’s badge were also found.

According to Channel 7 News in Boston, a family member turned a firearm over to Duxbury Police that Barlow had assembled. The 20-year old reportedly later showed up at the station requesting his gun be given back.

]]>Brookfield man charged for allegedly assaulting a woman in front of a childhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/0e7957e03a69f1be3c5293ac4540d515
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:36:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/0e7957e03a69f1be3c5293ac4540d515A Brookfield man was arrested over the weekend in Wilton for allegedly trying to strangle and assault a woman who tried to get out of his car. The Wilton Bulletin reports that passerbys alerted police to a woman walking next to a car driven by 25-year old Donald Karagianes. He was arrested for violating a protective order, breach of peace, strangulation and assault. Karagianes was also charged with risk of injury to a minor because there was a child in the vehicle.]]>Newtown updates town law on alarm system registrationhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/ab7891a5e037437c243d635fe04f1f66
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:35:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/ab7891a5e037437c243d635fe04f1f66Newtown officials have updated town ordinances about alarm systems in an effort to reduce the number of false alarms. Home and commercial users are encouraged to keep their contact information up to date with police.

Starting July 1st, all alarm systems in Newtown must be registered and renewed annually. The Newtown Police Department, with the help of the Town IT Department, has created an online registration/renewal application. Fees can also now be paid online.

Having an unregistered alarm system could result in a $99 fine.

A 2nd false alarm will cost $25. The fee doubles for the 3rd and 4th false alarm. It will cost $100 for a 5th, 6th, or 7th false alarm, doubling for the 8th and 9th. If a home or business alarm system falsely goes off 10 times or more, it's a $250 fee.

]]>New York State Police beef up enforcement on I-684http://98q.com/local-news-stories/88bc0f69637263a753d67c41e1562bcb
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:28:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/88bc0f69637263a753d67c41e1562bcbNew York State Police carried out an enhanced enforcement effort yesterday, looking for distracted drivers on Interstate 684. During a six hour time frame, Troopers issued a total of 55 tickets. 10 were for speeding, 3 for seatbelt violations, 11 for cell phone violations and 23 tickets for "move-over" law violations. The balance of the tickers were issued for other vehicle and traffic offenses.]]>Following brain surgery, Danbury Mayor to return to work Mondayhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/07d605d198b71d271da8a2ce6312fe9a
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:26:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/07d605d198b71d271da8a2ce6312fe9aDanbury Mayor Mark Boughton anticipates being back in the City this weekend and back in the office on Monday. Boughton plans to work a few hours a day next week and return full time after labor day. For now, the 53-year old is in Pittsburgh waiting to have stitches taken out after a surgery to remove a benign, lemon-sized cyst from his brain.

A pathologist confirmed that it was a benign epidermoid cyst.

Boughton told Hearst Connecticut Media that the night before the surgery he spent hours praying, crying and thinking about what sort of person he had been. The published report also said that Boughton suffered severe exhaustion in the afternoons, starting almost four years ago. Recently his headaches became bad and one day last month, his vision went blurry for 25 minutes.

]]>New Milford Mayor warned about Facebook post being breach of contract with state agencyhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/da7d442cbf10d7e500b21b2ec7e5ae6e
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:25:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/da7d442cbf10d7e500b21b2ec7e5ae6eThe state Office of Early Childhood has sent a letter to New Milford's Mayor saying that one of his recent Facebook posts is a “breach of contract” with the state. In the posting, Mayor David Gronbach was critical of the Children's Center giving state-subsidized day care to families earning more than $100,000 a year, meeting the state criteria for income and household size. The Newstimes reports that the Office of Early Childhood believes he disclosed family-level personal information that is considered confidential. The agency called on him to not post similar data.]]>As classes get set to resume, officials urge pedestrian safetyhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/e1d5af35212f075b512789c95f261c5e
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:24:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/e1d5af35212f075b512789c95f261c5eSchools in the Greater Danbury area will be starting up again soon and that means children will be walking to school and waiting along the street at bus stops. Kevin Borrup of the Injury Prevention Center says it's important for parents to have a heightened awareness around safety issues.

The Center formed a partnership with the state Department of Transportation to improve safety for pedestrians. They launched the "Watch For Me Connecticut" campaign to raise awareness among drivers.

The number of pedestrians killed last year increased 11-percent nationwide. In Connecticut 1,100 pedestrians are hit by cars each year.

Borrup offered tips to pedestrians. They including using sidewalks, crossing at intersections controlled by signals and walking facing traffic. For drivers, he is reminding motorists to keep speeds under the limit in residential areas.

]]>Redding students propose 'Little Free Library' for Community Centerhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/e66c41b5430cabecb652ce7464e51893
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 05:37:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/e66c41b5430cabecb652ce7464e51893The Redding Board of Selectmen is backing an initiative proposed by second graders to install a ‘Little Free Library’ at the Redding Community Center.

This project was part of the persuasive argument and writing curriculum. The students drew life-sized version and planned an opinion-based presentation to convince their classmates to vote for a particular presentation.

A Little Free Library, a worldwide organization, supports the construction of small, personally stocked neighborhood book exchanges. Anyone cane take out a book, and replace it with one of their own.

The small bookcase would be installed on a pedestal in the community center. The students with the winning design raised money to help go toward materials. Parents will help with construction.

The proposal was forwarded to the Redding Park and Recreation Commission and the Planning Commission. The castle-shaped bookshelf would be stocked with books for siblings to read while waiting for sporting activities to conclude. Parks and Rec officials say they want some more details from the class about the size of the proposed structure and the upkeep.

]]>Danbury zoners approve application for new animal control facilityhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/5df47317de1d4c3e706e4b00249abab4
Wed, 16 Aug 2017 05:32:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/5df47317de1d4c3e706e4b00249abab4The Danbury Zoning Commission has approved an application to add the use of "municipal animal control facility" to a certain area of the City.

$950,000 in bond money was approved by residents in November for construction of a new dog pound, which will help Danbury be in compliance with state standards.

Animal Control officials say a new facility is desperately needed. Several improvements were made to the City's current building to bring it up to date with state regulations, but the facility is still sub-standard to pounds of today. The building was constructed in the early 70's, is antiquated and in need of many major updates.

The current facility doesn't have heat or air conditioning, and there's no room to quarantine animals if they're sick. A new building will give the City a humane area to hold dogs before they're adopted.

]]>Sandy Hook School project comes in under budget, surplus returns to the statehttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/172c533dbdc22c88304773c2055e75cc
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:30:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/172c533dbdc22c88304773c2055e75ccNewtown is sending $1.5 million back to the state as the Sandy Hook School rebuilding project officially closes out. The Public Building and Site Commission recently determined that all expenditures for the newly opened school have been tallied. Connecticut gifted $50 million to Newtown when the town determined that the best option to move forward was to tear down the site of the shooting and build a new facility on the same property. Newtown officials say they were mindful of the generosity and were determined to be respectful with the resources. They credit some of the savings to having very few change orders, deviations and additions because of the vast amount of planning that went into the design process.]]>Danbury School District names 'Teacher of the Year'http://98q.com/local-news-stories/bf174c32b1d5d6b40d1ca3c606a13dc9
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:29:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/bf174c32b1d5d6b40d1ca3c606a13dc9The Danbury Public School District has named the 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. Beth Manning is a science teacher at Westside Middle School Academy. Manning started out as a pharmaceutical representative, tasked with training co-workers in technological changes.

She earned her masters at Western Connecticut State University. Manning was a student teacher at Danbury High School in 2001 and then started teaching at Rogers Park Middle School.

Last year she was chosen by the Connecticut Science Teachers Association to receive the “Excellence in Middle School Science Teaching Award.”

Manning says it's great that the district has embraced creativity in teaching the required curriculum. New state science standards were adopted last year. Manning said she accomplishes this by helping students – rather than telling them – find the answers through science-based questions.

]]>Bethel businessman plans to sue over crematorium decisionhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/a2cf85f37590b93b42f404f38492493e
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:27:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/a2cf85f37590b93b42f404f38492493eAttorneys for a Bethel businessman plan to file court papers next month about the Planning and Zoning Commission rejecting an application for a crematorium proposed for Clarke Business Park. The Newstimes reports that Shawn McLoughlin's previous lawsuit against the town over the decision was rejected.

The Commission approved the location of a crematorium in the business park the year before McLoughlin applied.

Some businesses threatened to move if the application was approved. His attorney argued that the Commission Chair was improperly influenced by that because she was running for First Selectman at the time. The published report says that McLoughlin wanted Pat Rist to be forced to make a deposition about why she voted for the permitted use and then rejected the specific proposal.

A judge denied the motion, saying they did not establish why Rist should be deposed.

]]>DOT signs off on Newtown bridge replacement designhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/8289650c028cc4f6cf090f22583e7f0c
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:26:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/8289650c028cc4f6cf090f22583e7f0cThe state Department of Transportation has approved the final design submission for Newtown’s proposed replacement of the Toddy Hill Road Bridge over Curtis Pond Brook. the DOT also authorized Newtown to send the project out for bid. The $3.1 million project replaces a deficient bridge with a wider, longer span to improve hydraulic capacity as well as traffic operations. Construction is expected to begin this year.]]>Danbury man crashed car into restaurant, fled on foothttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/ea3c515ecb0866eccb1669f8741d77ff
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:21:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/ea3c515ecb0866eccb1669f8741d77ffA Danbury man is due in court today on charges stemming from a hit and run accident, and then a later disturbance in the lobby of the Danbury Police Station. Officers responded to Division Street last Tuesday night on a report of a car hitting a building. The driver, later determined to by 38-year old Calvin Ward, fled on foot.

Witnesses provided a description of the driver to police, who eventually found him in their lobby.

Ward called Brookfield Police after the accident to report his vehicle stolen.

Danbury Police say Ward became belligerent yelling and swearing. He was charged with Breach of Peace, Interfering With Police Duties, Evading Responsibility, and Failure to Drive Right. While being booked on those charges, officers found crack cocaine in his possession. He was charged with possession and intent to sell.

He was released on $25,000 bond.

]]>Lost hikers rescued from Tarrywile Park in Danburyhttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/9b8e240180b34dff7919b1e9e92ab228
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 07:08:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/9b8e240180b34dff7919b1e9e92ab228A family hiking in Tarrywile Park in Danbury last night got lost in the woods and were rescued by Danbury and Bethel firefighters. A 15 year old called 911 around 8:45pm to say the family of 4 was lost. Officials say the City has some of the most advanced technology available to first responders.

Using GPS mapping technology, firefighters were able to pinpoint their location and bring iPads to close the distance of a little over a mile away.

Firefighters used the department's "Gator," an off road vehicle, and located the family within 30 minutes in the pitch black night. The Bethel Fire Department responded with their Off Road Rescue vehicle to help bring the family out of the woods.

The family was checked out by Danbury EMS and found to be uninjured and in good health.

The Danbury Fire Department is reminding hikers of some basic safety measures. Always file a rough hiking plan with a friend, carry a fully charged cellphone, drinking water, and flashlight with fresh batteries in case it gets dark. If you find yourself lost or injured, stop moving, call 911 and give the dispatcher the nature of the problem.

]]>Man pleads guilty to federal charge in lethal overdose casehttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/fa5544c18a44a1507480f6a85aac81f2
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:59:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/fa5544c18a44a1507480f6a85aac81f2A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to distributing heroin that caused the overdose death of a Monroe man. 34-year old Careem Bentley, also known as “C-Lows,” of Bridgeport, waived his right to indictment Monday. Monroe Police responded to a home on November 23rd on a report of a drug overdose. An unresponsive 37-year-old man was later pronounced dead. Investigators seized the victim’s cellphone, multiple folds of suspected heroin, and other items, and determined that he purchased heroin from Bentley the night before. Bentley was arrested in April and is currently jailed. He will be sentenced in November.]]>Bethel, Redding paving work to close roadshttp://98q.com/local-news-stories/0fe9892f77e8dd5b22e01e6c8550243a
Tue, 15 Aug 2017 06:58:00 -0500http://98q.com/local-news-stories/0fe9892f77e8dd5b22e01e6c8550243aBethel officials are cautioning drivers of a week long road closure. Maple Avenue will be closed daily from 7am until 5pm from the intersection of Maple Avenue Extension and Plumtrees Road to Main Street. The milling and paving project is starting this afternoon and will continue until Monday the 21st.

Detours will be posted. Officials are asking drivers, if possible, to plan a alternate route to avoid delays. Bethel residents who live within the project area will continue to have access to their driveways.

The Redding Highway Department will start milling and paving Sanfordtown Road and Lonetown Road beginning tomorrow. This work will take about four weeks.

Redding residents should expect delays and road closures. Residents who live within the work zone will be able to access their property while the reconstruction is in progress, all others are urged to take alternate routes.